One of the largest new residential rental projects in the state has begun in Menlo Park, CA, near the campus of Facebook. Developed by a strategic collaboration between St. Anton Partners and Facebook, the 630,000 sq-ft Anton Menlo will be a 394-unit multifamily housing community within walking distance of the social website giant’s existing Menlo Park headquarters and their new West Campus, which is currently under construction.

Designed by KTGY Group, Inc., the $120 Million infill redevelopment project sits on nearly 10 acres of formerly industrial land near Marsh Road off of Highway 101 in Menlo Park. The project recently received final zoning approval from the Menlo Park City Council and is currently in the design review phase.

The apartment community, the first of its kind in the city in more than 20 years, provides housing in a highly constrained area of the Bay Area Peninsula. It was planned-out through numerous focus groups, surveys and coordination with Facebook to cater to the modern amenity-driven “sophisticated renter.”

KTGY's Keith Labus, AIA, LEED AP and principal says they designed a community “built on amenities and social settings” that has everything the young professional could possibly want to complement their busy, active lifestyle.

Project highlights include an estimated 13,200 sq-ft of resident-only amenity space and management offices, with on-site features such as a “grab & go” convenience store, café, sports pub, bicycle repair shop, pet spa and do park, dry cleaning, fitness center, resort-inspired pool and spa, iCafe, clubhouse and large rooftop entertainment deck with three-themed areas.  

The property will boast 35 studio residences, 208 one-bedroom residences, 139 two-bedroom residences, and 12 three-bedroom residences.

Because of this project, the city says that major transit-oriented development (TOD)improvements to the area are on the way. These might include direct pedestrian and bicycle connectivity from the “Bay Trail” to Anton Menlo; new and repaired pedestrian sidewalks throughout Haven Avenue with street lighting and lighted crosswalks; and improved bus stop facilities, including on-site shuttle stops at Anton Menlo.

To assist with housing affordability and as part of their Below Market Rate Agreement with Menlo Park, Facebook has funded fifteen low-income units for inclusion at the project. These units will be income restricted for 55 years and are indistinguishable from the market rate units at Anton Menlo.